What is considered the primary purpose of a septic system?

The primary purpose of a septic system is to treat and disperse household wastewater. This system is designed to handle the effluent from sinks, showers, toilets, and other sources within a home. Specifically, it breaks down solids and allows for the natural filtration of the liquid waste into the surrounding soil, ensuring that harmful pathogens and contaminants are processed safely before they enter the groundwater or surrounding environment.

While septic systems do involve some storage of waste, this is not their primary function; they are designed to treat waste effectively over time rather than simply hold it until it can be removed. Filtering rainwater runoff and chemically treating all substances are not suited for septic systems, which focus on processing organic matter found in household wastewater rather than managing stormwater or applying chemicals for treatment. Therefore, treating and dispersing wastewater is the correct and central role of a septic system.